NATIVES OF AFRICA AS HELPERS IN AGGRESSIVE MISSION WORK.
By Joseph Clark
THE question is often asked—Do your native Christians show that they are ready to endure hardness, to risk their comfort and safety in the service of Christ? Let the following reply:— I have with me two native helpers who agreed to go with me into the interior and open a new work for Jesus on Lake Ntoumba. While we were delayed at Stanley Pool building our boat, we heard repeatedly that the people among whom we were going were very savage, and that they were much addicted to cannibalism. I was astonished to find that, though oft repeated, these stories had no effect on my two young men. Arriving at Irebu, we again heard the same tales, and this time from people who had been on the lake. A state official informed us that they were "very bad," and that they "chopped [ate] men too much." Another white man told us he had been compelled by the people to leave, etc. We, nevertheless, went ahead and purchased land in Ikoko for a mission station, and are to plant the cross of Christ there. On my second visit to the place I asked my helper, Frank Iteva, if he would be afraid to stay without me among those people and study the language while I returned to Irebu. I could not arrange to return in less than ten or twelve days. He replied at once, "I can stay; I am not afraid." I said he had better think it over and finally reply next day. In the morning his reply was the same. He asked for two men to work in clearing the ground, etc. I confess I was astonished, for I am sure there are many thousands of Christians in our Baptist Churches at home that would not dare to do as he has done. He has no arms (gun or revolver) and though he knew I had two in my boat he did not ask for one. He knows nothing of the language of the people, yet in spite of these things my Frank bravely stayed because I thought it would be best. With heartfelt gratitude to God, I knelt down with him in the cabin of my boat and placed him in God's hands, and left him there. My other helper, Willie Lufwilu, is also enduring hardness. He goes out every day with a gang of men to the forest to cut timber. The woods are full of water and almost every day they experience severe rainstorms, which add to the difficulties by enlarging the swamps. But he patiently works away and manages these native workmen (Irebu, Lukolele, Wangata, and Lulanga men) very well. Another pleasing feature is that neither of these young men has yet demanded any wages. Of course they will be paid, but though they have been a year with me (ten months rather) they have not even arranged with me their rate of pay. The love of money is not very strongly developed in them, it seems. How few American Christians would go forward thus trustfully! I heard a gentleman say he asked Frank what his wages were to be. Frank replied that he did not know if he would get any; but he was sure God would provide all he required.—Joseph Clark, A. B. M. U., Irebu Station, Kongo.